• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Sony A99 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Sony A99 II advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    79 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    61 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S2

Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs

  • 18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling

  • Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.

  • Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A99 II
Pentax K-500
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5300
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in GPS
Sony A99 II
Nikon D5300
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
Sony A99 II
Pentax K-S1
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-S2
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A99 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D850

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D850
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A99 II
Nikon D850
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Compare Other Cameras?